Do You Boycott?

DrPhil · #1 07-25-2012, 01:43 PM

Do you boycott companies if the representatives or employees express viewpoints or engage in practices that you disagree with?

What does it take for you to boycott a company?

Do you never boycott companies?

What say you, GCers?

DrPhil · #2 07-25-2012, 01:59 PM

I was reading a blog about boycotting Chick-Fil-A because of views and practices regarding LGBT and same-sex marriage. Google "boycott chick fil a" and you will find some interesting things.

I will not be boycotting Chick-Fil-A because I do not like Chick-Fil-A in the first place---except their waffle fries but I can get some fresh out of the salty fryer McDonald's fries if necessary. On one hand, people are not relegated to saying and doing what others agree with. On the other hand, when we express viewpoints there is always the chance that our viewpoints and actions will be discovered and responded to.

agzg · #3 07-25-2012, 02:00 PM

I hate you.

But yes, I will, but it depends on four things:
1. How strongly I feel about the issue.
2. The availability of comparable good/services in my area (and whether I can afford any price jumps).
3. Their response to public accusations/backlash.
4. Other, related parties. For example: it doesn't take much for me to either cut my spending at or boycott a company that donates to Focus on the Family, because James Dobson is a piece of shit and Focus on the Family really is a hate group, and I've felt that way for years.

That said, I voted for "No one is holding these companies back but them." and I think you know why.

knight_shadow · #4 07-25-2012, 02:08 PM

I won't go on a crusade against a company, but if they are actively supporting things that I don't believe in, I won't be a customer. There are TONS of alternatives to everything in my area, so the corporate monopolies are few and far between. I'm not the "HEY FACEBOOK FOLLOWERS. DON'T BUY NIKE BECAUSE OF SWEATSHOPS" guy.

DrPhil · #5 07-25-2012, 02:11 PM

I said to myself "agzg voted for the 4th option."

Focus on the Family makes some good points and does some good things but there also some things that breed bigotry and social exclusion.

agzg · #6 07-25-2012, 02:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DrPhil

I said to myself "agzg voted for the 4th option."

Focus on the Family makes some good points and does some good things but there also some things that breed bigotry and social exclusion and James Dobson is a piece of shit.

FYP.

Mevara · #7 07-25-2012, 02:14 PM

I do boycott companies if I believe strongly against the company values. There is only one company that I currently boycott... Walmart.

AlphaFrog · #8 07-25-2012, 02:18 PM

I'm ok with people boycotting. I'm not ok with people insisting that others do as well. I'm also really, REALLY sick of Facebook activism and people thinking tgey're accomplishing something by sharing meme after meme with their own two cents thrown in.

DrPhil · #9 07-25-2012, 02:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by agzg

FYP.

LOL.

I will let you have that. I am not familiar enough with James Dobson to draw that conclusion.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mevara

There is only one company that I currently boycott... Walmart.

Amen.

There have been a couple of times over the years that I have had the horrible experience of overlooking my boycott due to having to make a purchase at Walmart or I was at an event where items were purchased at Walmart. Horrible experiences indeed.

KSUViolet06 · #10 07-25-2012, 02:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AlphaFrog

I'm ok with people boycotting. I'm not ok with people insisting that others do as well. I'm also really, REALLY sick of Facebook activism and people thinking tgey're accomplishing something by sharing meme after meme with their own two cents thrown in.

Yes. This.

Oh, you posted a "Would you like some bigotry with your nuggets" meme? What a human rights activist you are.

FHwku · #11 07-25-2012, 02:26 PM

i wouldn't call it a boycott because i don't care if other people go in there. i'm not trying to get other people to join me in protest or anything. i don't care if the business knows that it bothers me or not. but if i disagree with them in principle, i won't go in there.

a local bar that does a band dirty

a national chain that spends millions on a moral/political issue i disagree with

a worldwide brand that assembles its most popular product in a country where people would rather kill themselves then continue to work there (iphone/china. and they put in giant nets to catch the jumpers. they won't even let you die, but they'll cut that baby right out of you. hypocrisy)

diamonds bought with blood and the artificial inflation of prices through control of supply.

honestly, if Chick-fil-A is anti-gay marriage, they have a right to say so. i'm not gonna be the one to change their minds, anyway. but i don't want my money supporting any political/moral stance, particularly one they have no business talking about. i liked the dixie chicks alright, but i don't care if they hate bush, just sing. i like chick-fil-a's food, but they'd be better off supporting a charity and doing something positive. their position on being closed on Sundays directly affects me, though. so fuck em.

honeychile · #12 07-25-2012, 02:33 PM

My parents raised me to boycott. There are so many things I've boycotted over the years, but I have to feel passionate about the issue.

For example, there's a "don't buy anything made in China" for the month of August. My little dog died of the exact symptoms that the Waggin' Trails treats have been exposed to cause. Made in China, they dehydrated chicken strips with ARSENIC! So yes, I will be joining in on that boycott.

agzg · #13 07-25-2012, 02:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DrPhil

LOL.

I will let you have that. I am not familiar enough with James Dobson to draw that conclusion.

Oh snap.

WhiteRose1912 · #14 07-25-2012, 02:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DrPhil

Focus on the Family makes some good points and does some good things but there also some things that breed bigotry and social exclusion.

Focus on the Family may be turning more moderate and moving away from hate group territory (I remain dubious), but it's close enough that I still get incredulous whenever anyone lets Dobson speak on any LGBT issues. Same with Perkins from FotF's sister group, the Family Research Council, which is a hate group.

DrPhil · #15 07-25-2012, 02:48 PM

Sometimes you do not have to stop patronizing a place. Sometimes you can express your discontent and some companies will respond to keep your business. I have complained to a business about its racially bigoted (disguised as anti-Bush liberal Democrat humor) advertising. They were wise to discard of the advertising while I was still in the store and apologize that their inappropriate humor offended me. I appreciated their quick response and that the owner and employees did not give me the "we do what we please" speech. I still patron the store sometimes but I still am shocked that they thought that advertisment was a good idea in the first place.

Quote:

Originally Posted by KSUViolet06

Yes. This.

Oh, you posted a "Would you like some bigotry with your nuggets" meme? What a human rights activist you are.

Can you and AlphaFrog please explain what this means? LOL.

Quote:

Originally Posted by honeychile

For example, there's a "don't buy anything made in China" for the month of August. My little dog died of the exact symptoms that the Waggin' Trails treats have been exposed to cause. Made in China, they dehydrated chicken strips with ARSENIC! So yes, I will be joining in on that boycott.